Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

I am no courtesan, nor moderator, nor tribune, nor defender of the people: I am myself the people.

An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.

He may be a patriot for Austria, but the question is whether he is a patriot for me.

All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.

You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.

The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

I am invariably of the politics of the people at whose table I sit, or beneath whose roof I sleep.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

A real leader is somebody who can help us overcome the limitations of our own individual laziness and selfishness and weakness and fear and get us to do better, harder things than we can get ourselves to do on our own.

Envy is the basis of democracy.

Every communist must grasp the truth: “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”